The business behind the show

The Morning Fix: 'Clash of Titans' reigns! Cable knows drama. Did you get an iPad?

April 5, 2010 | 8:40
am

After the coffee. Before being grateful you didn't wash the car yesterday.

'Clash' crushes the competition. Warner Bros.' 3-D remake of the 1981 kitsch classic "Clash of the Titans" steamrolled its way to the top of the box office. Not even the iPad or the NCAA Final Four could slow it down as the movie pulled in $61.4 million. Yes, that's an Easter weekend record, but keep in mind the ticket prices for 3-D movies. Tyler Perry's "Why Did I Get Married Too" was in second place with $30.1 million, while "How to Tame Your Dragon" had a strong second week. Box-office analysis from the Los Angeles Times, Dave Poland's Hot Blog and Hollywood Reporter.

iPad mania. Apple's iPad went on sale Saturday, and if you read Twitter or Facebook, you'd think everyone in the world was buying one. Of course on Sunday, those that did realized the iPad was no match for an earthquake. The Wall Street Journal on Day One of the rest of your iPad life. Variety has a roundup of what Hollywood is thinking and doing with the iPad.

They know drama. Cable has become the home for high-quality drama. While some will say it's because there's less rules regarding content, the bottom line is that because cable networks get subscriber fees and advertising revenue, they can support shows whose audiences would be too small for broadcast. Cable also tends to do 13 episode seasons versus 22 or 24 episodes for broadcast. That's another cost-saver and it helps keep the shows from getting tired. The New York Times looks at the not-so-level playing field between broadcast and cable.

Sony's new zoo. MGM's cloudy future has led to Sony Pictures to take over distribution for "Zookeeper," which stars Kevin James and Rosario Dawson. Deadline New York's Mike Fleming reports that MGM will keep the TV rights.

First the product, then we go to casting! Product placement is nothing new in movies and TV shows but it has become so important that one day the products might be placed before the roles are even cast. The New York Times looks behind the scenes at how early these deals are being cut.

But will he show up for a 'Family Ties' reunion? Tom Hanks is going to take part in a "Bosom Buddies" reunion being shot in conjunction with TV Land's annual awards show, reports the Wrap. What's not clear is whether this is just for a bit or just to be in the audience or what? And before anyone goes there, I do not look like Peter Scolari. I've been hearing that one since college.

Inside the Los Angeles Times: Catching up with Maris Valainis, the actor who played star player Jimmy Chitwood in the high school basketball classic "Hoosiers." Geoff Boucher goes behind the scenes of "Clash of the Titans."